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bethreadsandnaps's review
4.0
I had this nonfiction book on my TBR for a while because I chose it for a challenge last year (snake on the cover), and I ended up reading a different book with a snake on the cover. All of this is to say that I didn't read this because I thought I work with a psychopath. I just thought it would be interesting!
And it was! There were case studies, background information, a fictionalized play that is carried throughout, and tips on what to do if you experience a psychopath at work - or even in any area of your life because there were other examples too.
Two dings:
1. I wish studies/research had been footnoted. There was a "Notes" section at the end, but I tend to appreciate being able to pull up a study cited at the time of its mention. The writing was very conversational, with vague "studies" thrown in without any specifics that I could look up. Without footnotes, or even notes at the end of each chapter, this was frustrating.
2. The writing is a bit dated, which is fine, but I would have appreciated some mention of biases when hiring. The book details that psychopaths slip by the hiring process because they are charming and appeal to the interviewer without having actual substance. So I would have appreciated more awareness shined on how interviewers need to "check" themselves. In some ways the book took the long way around to get to that point, but I would have appreciated a call out to biases of interviewers, including the "like me" bias - biases that also contribute to systemic racism in hiring. (I know it's a different topic, but it's similar with regard to biases.)
And it was! There were case studies, background information, a fictionalized play that is carried throughout, and tips on what to do if you experience a psychopath at work - or even in any area of your life because there were other examples too.
Two dings:
1. I wish studies/research had been footnoted. There was a "Notes" section at the end, but I tend to appreciate being able to pull up a study cited at the time of its mention. The writing was very conversational, with vague "studies" thrown in without any specifics that I could look up. Without footnotes, or even notes at the end of each chapter, this was frustrating.
2. The writing is a bit dated, which is fine, but I would have appreciated some mention of biases when hiring. The book details that psychopaths slip by the hiring process because they are charming and appeal to the interviewer without having actual substance. So I would have appreciated more awareness shined on how interviewers need to "check" themselves. In some ways the book took the long way around to get to that point, but I would have appreciated a call out to biases of interviewers, including the "like me" bias - biases that also contribute to systemic racism in hiring. (I know it's a different topic, but it's similar with regard to biases.)
alexfromatlanta's review
3.0
This book is an interesting collaboration, but it shoots for two goals and misses both. Babiak is an HR consultant, and his co-author is an expert on psychopath spotting. The book could either be a definitive look into the inner workings of the corporate psychopathic mind, or a training text for HR workers to weed out individuals with psychopathic tendencies. Instead, the text switches gears from one topic to the next about half-way through, losing any gained momentum and significantly changing the books tone.
While the book is a worthwhile quick read, I was left with the feeling that any psychopaths that I run across in the workplace will probably have stabbed me in the back (perhaps literally) by the time I spot them. The authors end with a warning against labeling everyone a psychopath, but that's sure hard to do when most of the book plasters that label on anyone who is cunning, cold, manipulative, angry, attractive, flirty, distant, unpredictable or competitive. And even among the people who aren't those things, perhaps they're only friendly to you because they're currently using you to reap some gain. Better safe than sorry, go ahead and sever ties with everyone at work.
While the book is a worthwhile quick read, I was left with the feeling that any psychopaths that I run across in the workplace will probably have stabbed me in the back (perhaps literally) by the time I spot them. The authors end with a warning against labeling everyone a psychopath, but that's sure hard to do when most of the book plasters that label on anyone who is cunning, cold, manipulative, angry, attractive, flirty, distant, unpredictable or competitive. And even among the people who aren't those things, perhaps they're only friendly to you because they're currently using you to reap some gain. Better safe than sorry, go ahead and sever ties with everyone at work.
inthelunaseas's review against another edition
3.0
Upfront, I skimmed the last fifty/sixty pages as I've read enough self help books and books about narcissists that I didn't feel what was on offer would be relevant to me.
I enjoyed the beginning two thirds or so of the book. It presented a rather interesting dynamic, about what might cause someone to have, say, psychopathic traits but not wind up in a criminal situation. Although Babiak and Hare use the word 'psychopath' in this manner, I'm a little hesitant to, as the word bastard is so much easier.
Although the short stories presented at the start of the chapters do have a flavour of a Lifetime movie to them, I liked them. They were a little cheesy, sure, but they linked the chapters together and provided an interesting angle.
The writing is easy to understand. A little clinical in parts, sure, and I didn't particularly care for the scientific (not necessarily psychological) analysis. Graphs and the like. And the last few sections, as I stated previously, are presented as a more self help bracket.
I enjoyed the beginning two thirds or so of the book. It presented a rather interesting dynamic, about what might cause someone to have, say, psychopathic traits but not wind up in a criminal situation. Although Babiak and Hare use the word 'psychopath' in this manner, I'm a little hesitant to, as the word bastard is so much easier.
Although the short stories presented at the start of the chapters do have a flavour of a Lifetime movie to them, I liked them. They were a little cheesy, sure, but they linked the chapters together and provided an interesting angle.
The writing is easy to understand. A little clinical in parts, sure, and I didn't particularly care for the scientific (not necessarily psychological) analysis. Graphs and the like. And the last few sections, as I stated previously, are presented as a more self help bracket.
krismoon's review
2.0
Disclaimer: I skimmed through this book for research.
I think this book would be best for managers in office settings, as that is indeed the author's market. The book looks at how psychopaths manipulate certain relationships, use coworkers, etc. at work.
Personally, I was looking more for psychopathic behavior in blue collar jobs, so this wasn't the right book for me. However, it was very interesting to read, and I think it would be an important book for HR reps and managers in order to spot psychopathic, opportunistic nature in prospective workers. I would say it would be good for CFOs, CEOs, COOs, etc... but the truth of it is that many already harbor some of these traits themselves. (Super awesome, right?)
I think this book would be best for managers in office settings, as that is indeed the author's market. The book looks at how psychopaths manipulate certain relationships, use coworkers, etc. at work.
Personally, I was looking more for psychopathic behavior in blue collar jobs, so this wasn't the right book for me. However, it was very interesting to read, and I think it would be an important book for HR reps and managers in order to spot psychopathic, opportunistic nature in prospective workers. I would say it would be good for CFOs, CEOs, COOs, etc... but the truth of it is that many already harbor some of these traits themselves. (Super awesome, right?)
bradvansickle's review
2.0
This book was extremely boring given the topic. The information didn't surpass surface level details and the fictional scenarios they used contained some of the cringiest writing I've seen. I couldn't believe how long it was considering how repetitive and dull the content was. I read this as an eBook so I'm not sure if the hard copy version is in a textbook format but it read exactly like that. How many people have ever been excited to read a textbook front to back?